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LASIK Eye Surgery - Your Questions Answered - Part 3

Posted By Key-Whitman Eye Center || 9-Nov-2012

Part three of a three-part series answering the most frequently asked questions
about LASIK eye surgery.

The decision to undergolaser eye surgery is not one to take lightly. The human eyes are extremely intricate and
very delicate. Your vision is essential to quality of life. WhileLASIK eye surgery has been tested and performed successfully millions of times over the
past 15 years, it’s important to have all of your questions answered
before you commit to going under the laser.

LASIK stands for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis, and is a vision
correction surgery used to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism. Laser eye surgery corrects vision by reshaping
the cornea of the eye so light is properly focused on the retina, providing
clear vision. LASIK is just one form of laser vision correction surgery.

Do you have questions about LASIK? You aren’t alone. Prior to undergoing
LASIK eye surgery, it’s important to understand risks associated
with eye surgery, alternative treatment options and any fees you will
incur from the surgery.

These are some of the most frequently asked questions about LASIK eye surgery:

What risks are involved with LASIK eye surgery?
The most common side effects following LASIK eye surgery are glare from
bright lights, halos, light sensitivity, night driving glare and visual
fluctuation. Every case is different, and your doctor will discuss your
individual risks at the time of your consultation. The laser used during
surgery can make a difference in risks and results. Key-Whitman doctors
perform LASIK eye surgery using the Wavelight® Allegretto Wave®
Eye-Q treatment because they feel it provides safety with superior results.
You can read more about risks and benefits of this treatmenthere.

What is the success rate of LASIK?
Laser eye surgery is used to improve vision, but perfect vision cannot
be guaranteed. A far majority of patients will achieve their desired vision
following LASIK and millions of patients have undergone LASIK eye surgery
with minimal or no complications, but all LASIK patients will require
the use of reading glasses as they age. It is possible to undergo further
correction to your vision following LASIK eye surgery.

Are there any alternative treatment options?

LASIK is not the only option for refractive surgery, but it is the most
common. Alternatives to LASIK include:

o PRK (also called LASEK or Advanced Surface Ablation). Without making
a flap, the cornea is re-shaped by removing a microscopic layer of tissue.
The reshaping allows light rays to bend and focus for improved vision.

o The Vision ICL (Implantable Collamer® Lens) is another option for
treating myopia (nearsightedness). The Visian ICL is a phakic intraocular
lens (IOL) used during refractive surgery for correcting myopia. The ICL
is placed between the iris and the natural lens. Because the phakic IOL
does not replace the lens, but supplements it like a prescription contact
lens, it is sometimes referred to as an implantable contact lens.

During your consultation ask the doctor if LASIK is the best option to
treat your vision. There may be alternative treatments available that
would better treat your vision problems.

What fees are associated with LASIK?
Before committing to any medical procedure, it’s important to know
what your out of pocket fees will be. Key-Whitman offers patients package
options. The fee for each package is a comprehensive charge, which includes
all preoperative measurements and examinations, surgical and facility
costs, postoperative care and enhancement procedures are included in the
fee coinciding with the terms of the package selected.

LASIK eye surgery is not for everyone, but millions of patients have undergone
successful vision correction surgery with LASIK. To find out if you are
a candidate for LASIK surgery, contact Key-Whitman toschedule a free consultation.

Do you have other questions about LASIK? Ask us in the comments below, or on ourFacebook Page!

Get the Vision You've
Always Wanted with LASIK

Thousands of individuals have undergone LASIK eye surgery at our center, as it continues to be recognized as the most popular procedure to correct vision problems
and help people obtain their best vision yet.